XPPen Artist Ultra 16 Drawing Tablet Review – The Most Luxurious Colors Available

Within the last year, XPPen has released top-quality 24-inch tablets with amazing 4k graphics and high refresh rates. However, not everyone has the room for a beast of a drawing monitor. Thankfully, XPPen has a solution for this. The new Artist Ultra 16 combines all the performance of the 24-inch models with a 16-inch OLED screen, and the results are dazzling.

XPPen is known for making a quality product at a reasonable price. The Artist Ultra 16 blows value out of the water. The 4k, OLED drawing monitor comes with all the cables needed to run on any system, two Pro Styli, a Bluetooth Remote, and a premium drawing glove for under $1000. For the quality of this tablet, the price isn’t just good, it’s mind-blowing.

Key Details

• Developer: XPPen
• Release Date: September 26, 2025
• Size: 16″
• Resolution: 4k OLED
• Price: $899.99
• Pressure Levels: 16k
• Review Unit Provided: Yes

XPPen Doesn’t Cut Corners

In a time where many companies are cutting corners, XPPen has stayed consistent and thoughtful with what it provides to artists. As mentioned above, the Artist Ultra 16 includes everything users will need to get drawing at no extra cost. From spare nibs to a screen-safe microfiber cleaning cloth, the monitor is decked out with critical accessories that have been removed from brands like Wacom.

For most artists, the inclusion of adapter cables, Bluetooth hot-key remotes, and additional nibs isn’t just nice to have; they are required. I use a 2024 iBuyPower gaming PC, and despite being new, there is no USB-C adapter on my video card. This means the included HDMI dongle kit in the Artist Ultra 16 is needed just to turn on the monitor.

For artists at school, on a budget, or just getting started in digital art, the inclusion of these items is critical to caring properly for a tablet and using it correctly without having to spend extra money. It’s thoughtful, inclusive, and relieves the stress of wondering if the tablet will function upon purchase.

It is also important to note, like all recent XPPen tablets, that the Artist Ultra 16 is Calman Verified. This means that the drawing monitors are all calibrated and tested before shipping out, adding an extra level of detail and quality to each monitor.

16K Pressure Levels on a 4K OLED Screen

There are few drawing styli on the market that compare to the accuracy and responsiveness of the X3 Pro Pens. The X3 Pro smart chip delivers 16k pressure levels, and it creates an experience almost exactly like drawing with a pencil on paper. The feel of either Pro stylus on the etched surface of the Artist Ultra 16 is satisfying and responsive, making every sketch as indulgent as a triple chocolate shake.

However, this experience is put on a completely different level when applied to the 4k OLED screen. The display of the Artist Ultra 16 shuts down almost every other tablet on the market in this size. The resolution is crisp, the colors pop with a saturation that is as velvety as a palette covered in unmixed oil paint. It’s so much fun to draw on, and so luxuriously detailed, that at times I had to just stop and look at what I was doing because it didn’t seem possible to achieve such beautiful saturation on a screen.

Add to it that artists can adjust the brightness at any time using the easy access buttons on the top of the tablet, and it really does feel like the perfect mid-sized drawing monitor for every creative.

A Clever Stand That Lacks Tilt

The Artist Ultra 16 has a clever little stand for a semi-portable drawing monitor. Attached after purchase via a strong adhesive on the back of the monitor, this adjustable kickstand has two settings. The stand is metal, and each of the kick-out feet has rubber ends to prevent slipping.

While I love the non-intrusive design, I did find myself missing the angle of the pop-stand on the 24″ XPPen monitors. The angle of the Artist Ultra 16 stand is tricky for coffee tables, and it sits a bit flat on my desk. That said, the tablet is the perfect size to sit on my lap while drawing, and I have been opting for that over the stand.

However, the size of the 16″ on a desk or table is perfect. It’s not too bulky, and the lightweight design is great for sitting on the floor or sofa if artists need to get away from the desk for a bit. I like to hook the Artist Ultra 16 to my laptop, and it is the right size for a coffee shop trip or just switching to a different room in the house.

For anyone with limited space looking for a top-quality monitor, I can’t recommend the Artist Ultra 16 enough.

Final Score – 9.5/10

The Artist Ultra 16 isn’t just a good choice for artists; it’s the best choice currently available. At just under $900, Artists get an unbelievable set of specs, fantastic quality, and a slew of accessories that make setup and general workflow a breeze. It’s the perfect option for artists of any skill level, and at a price that would make a Wacom Cintiq blush.

Despite the struggles with the kick stand, the saturation and detail of the XPPen Artist Ultra 16 are unmatched, and will delight any artist who picks it up. It’s a beautiful monitor that every creative should have the chance to try out. If you love color, quality, and versatility, this is the tablet for you.

**Bonus Action was provided with a sample of the XPPen Artist Ultra 16 for the purpose of this review**

About the Author

Laura Gray

Administrator

Laura Gray, known as Ezra when not putting pen to paper, is a D&D enthusiast with a love of all things written. They are a collector of fantasy and sci-fi novels, a lover of cooking weird food, and a player of farming sims and Pokémon games. When not engrossed in a re-read of Anne McCaffrey or a deep dive into the Adventure Zone: Balance, they can be found sniffing the cats and napping in half-finished crochet projects.

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